‘THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT’: A Queens GOP Assembly candidate who rails against squatters on the campaign trail was sued by his landlord for nearly $1 million in unpaid rent — and the Republican has vowed to sic his “many Jewish lawyers” on those who write about the suits. Flushing Assembly candidate Philip Wang, a licensed chiropractor, is running in a competitive race against Democrat incumbent Ron Kim in the predominantly Asian state Assembly district. Wang has made illegal squatting a key part of his campaign — listing getting rid of the “30 Days Squatting Law” as one of his five policy priorities. But today he told Playbook he couldn’t pay his own rent during the Covid-19 pandemic and defended a previously published comment touting his “many Jewish lawyers” who could come after those who publish the claims of unpaid rent. “Jewish attorneys are, in general, the best attorneys in the whole entire America. That's what the Chinese people believe,” Wang said. Playbook decided to publish Wang’s offensive comments about several ethnic groups given how close this race appears. Wang told Playbook he is not an antisemite and, to prove it, started listing the first and last names of his Jewish friends from high school and the Jewish lawyers and doctors he knows. “There's a whole bunch of Jews that I hang out with, and so being antisemitic is the funniest accusation ever,” he said. The comments — which echo antisemitic tropes about Jewish control — come as Wang is forging a challenge against Kim, who is still bloodied from a highly contentious primary challenge in June against a candidate Kim said was linked to the Chinese Communist Party. Now, Kim is in the final stretch of his general election battle against an irreverent Wang, whom Kim frequently likens to former President Donald Trump in a district that has become more competitive for Republicans in the past decade. “It's very Trumpian language, and I think that's what we've seen over the years,” Kim said. “I think it's antisemitism at its worst when you stereotype that way. I just hope he has a better understanding of respecting all groups, including Jewish Americans.” Meanwhile, Wang has sought to tie Kim to cashless bail, legislation decriminalizing of sex work and the migrant crisis. He said Kim is responsible for a decline of quality of life in the district, which he also cast in racist terms. “If you ever come to Flushing, walk on Main Street, it’s become a flea market,” Wang said. “Illegal migrants, Hispanic people, come and sell you bananas, tomatoes, OK? ‘One dollar, One dollar … Five dollar, five dollar [sic]’,” Wang said, putting on an accent to imitate the street vendors. “And then you see Black people selling their fake iPhones and AirPods, OK? And you see a whole bunch of old Chinese ladies trying to make bucks,” he said. Reports of Wang’s nearly $1 million dispute with his landlord were first reported in October by the Chinese-language news outlet Sing Tao Daily, where he originally made the comments relating to Jewish lawyers. “I hope there is no smear campaign against me before the election because I will press charges, no matter who says it,” Wang told the newspaper. “I reserve the right to file a lawsuit if there's any misinformation that's been reported. I have many lawyers, Jewish lawyers.” Wang told Playbook today the lawsuit for the unpaid rent has been resolved, referencing a court decision that evicted Wang from the property. In that case, the judge did not demand any payment from Wang. But a representative for the landlord said they are still pursuing the near $1 million in unpaid rent. Wang did not deny that he was unable to pay rent on the property. “We had a dispute with the maintenance fee and Covid time rent,” Wang said. “I told her it’s too much, we couldn't pay for that much and we’re negotiating. And during the negotiation [she] took me to court.” When asked about the “Jewish lawyers” comments, Wang also told Playbook he felt Kim, who is Korean-American, is “trying to rule over Chinese and the Jews.” “That's like the most racist thing I ever heard,” Kim responded. “It sounds like Trumpian racist nonsense. I don't even need to comment on such racism.” Anthony Nunziato, the head of the Queens GOP, told Playbook that Wang’s “Jewish lawyer” comments actually represent “the biggest compliment.” “Philip was expressing admiration for Jewish attorneys. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said. — Jason Beeferman
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